Fall at Santa Anita Hospitalizes Apprentice

Apprentice jockey Abel Cedillo and journeyman Victor Espinoza were injured as a result of a spill on the clubhouse turn during the first race at Santa Anita Feb. 10.

Cedillo, who remained conscious, was taken immediately to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for examination. There was no immediate word on his condition.

Espinoza, who was taken to the track’s First Aid Station, sustained what appeared to be a significant abrasion to his forehead but was not hospitalized. Although he took off of his remaining mounts, Espinoza said that he intended to ride at Santa Anita Feb. 11.

Cedillo’s mount in the one-mile claiming race for older fillies and mares, Saint's Crown, was at the rail in second position approaching the 6 ½-furlong pole when he clipped the heels of the pacesetter, Sky Brite Miss, and lost Cedillo as she went down. Espinoza, who was trailing the early leaders along the rail aboard Lucy Got Lucky, collided with the prone Saint’s Crown and the jockey was also unseated.

As a result of the collision, Lucy Got Lucky sustained what Santa Anita steward Tom Ward characterized as an “open fracture” and was euthanized.

Saint’s Crown was transported back to the barn area where she was “walking sound,” according to Ward. Saint’s Crown was claimed out of the race for $8,000 by trainer Eric Kruljac.